In 4-5 sentences, answer this question. Use simple wording, intended for 8th grade:
How did Americans disagree over the role of federal and state governments before and during the Civil War?
1 answer
Before and during the Civil War, Americans had differences of opinion about the power and responsibilities of the federal and state governments. Some people, known as strict constructionists, believed that the federal government should only have powers that were specifically granted to it by the Constitution, while all other powers should be given to the states. Others, called loose constructionists, believed that the federal government should have broad powers to do what was necessary for the country's well-being. These disagreements over the role of the federal and state governments contributed to tensions between the North and the South that eventually led to the Civil War.